A woman takes photos of the China's national flags and the flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on June 29. Photo: the Paper

With the support of the central government, Hong Kong's standing as an international financial, shipping and trade center has seen continuous improvement and remains one of the most open economies and the most popular investment destinations in the world, which fully demonstrates the advantage of the "one country, two systems" principle, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

She made the remarks while commenting on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government's release of its first business environment report since 1997, the year it returned to China.

The report showed that the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong has helped improve business environment in the city, under the principle of "one country, two systems."

The business environment report noted that the city's standing as an international financial hub also remained prominent. For example, in the year following the enactment of the security law, funds raised through initial public offerings in Hong Kong exceeded $500 billion, an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the 12 months before the law's enactment.

Additionally, Hong Kong has been at the forefront of international rankings relating to the rule of law and judicial independence since its return to the motherland.

"The National Security Law and subsequent improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system has reinforced the rule of law, restored social safety and stability and made government administration more efficient and smoother," Hua said, noting that foreign enterprises operating in Hong Kong and authoritative international organizations are more confident about the city's business environment.

With continuous policies from the central government to benefit Hong Kong, the city's economic and social development will continue to benefit, Hua said. "In the process of integrating into the country's development blueprint, the distinguished advantages of Hong Kong will be more remarkable and its development momentum will further increase," she said, noting that the Pearl of the Orient will shine even more brightly.

Hua stressed that the city belongs to China, and Hong Kong-related affairs is the country's internal affairs which should not be interfered by any foreign countries.

"As it's been proved, certain countries' plot of supporting "anti-China" forces inside and outside Hong Kong who scheme to destabilize Hong Kong and bad-mouth Hong Kong's business climate in a bid to destabilize the city and contain China's development will fail," Hua said.

Any foreign disruptions and pressure will not hinder the historic trend of Hong Kong becoming progressively better administered and more prosperous, as well as the long-term application of the "one country, two systems" principle, she said.

Global Times